Chapter Seventeen
Ezra
Iwaited for CC toshow up at my apartment. To say he was sorry, to make up some excuse as to why he didn’t mention the Christmas party other than he forgot. To tell me he told his parents about us, only he never came. I sat in my living room with no lights on except my Christmas tree, all by myself, and he never even bothered to reach out or show up. Why did guys keep hiding me like some sort of dirty secret? He who shall not be named did it, too, and look where that got me? Smacked around and punched in the face until I ended up in the hospital.
CC didn’t love me. In fact, he never even said a word to me about how I said those three words to him that night in the hotel room. I kept waiting for that, too. Was I just a hole for him? A way to get off because he thought I was just that easy? Why did I keep letting these men use me? Why had I thought CC was different?
Stupid, needy, clingy Ezra. Always thinking you found the right man when they only want to use you for one thing.
“It’s just me, babe,” Seth called when I heard the door open.
I had texted me him and asked him to come over. Well, that’s not exactly true. I had pretty much demanded he come over because I was lonely and depressed. I was feeling needy, so he had better show up with some support hugs and cookies.
“How much have you had to drink?” he asked, plopping on the floor next to the couch. “Are you capable of holding a conversation with me?”
I blew a raspberry at him. “Yeah, of course.” I was probably not.
“Okay, so how many fingers am I holding up?” Seth asked as I squinted at him.
“Listen, officer, can you just take your dick out and give me a show? I’m really into that sort of thing. Oh, do you have handcuffs?” I giggled before I reached for my glass of wine.
Seth slapped my hand. “No, you don’t, babe. You’re going to talk to me before you pass out. I thought you and Mr. NASCAR were happy. You sent me that super adorbs picture and everything. I mean, I’m jealous, and I don’t even believe in love. You two seemed to be having fun at the Tavern today. He even danced with you.” He grabbed the bottle from the table and proceeded to drink out of it.
“Ew, you heathen! I have to drink that, too!” I exclaimed.
Seth snorted. “Are you afraid of cooties or something?”
“No, give it.” I took the bottle when he handed it to me and took a long sip to prove I didn’t care if we shared. “We were adorable, huh?”
Seth turned to look at me. “He’s not hiding you. He’s not—”
“Don’t you dare say that name,” I hissed, yanking back the bottle of wine before he could take it from me. “You’re very aware that Brooks Racing is having a Christmas party that CC failed to invite me to. Acted all surprised like he forgot. Pffft, whatever. Like he didn’t know I would want to go to a Christmas party with him. Liar, liar, pants on fire. He knows Christmas is literally my jam.”
Seth’s brows dipped. “Did you stop and think maybe the man actually forgot about it? He’s had a lot going on. You dropped back into his life like a cat wrapped in tinsel, his boyfriend dumped him, you start dating and fucking, he takes you to that banquet thing, he almost lost his ride. I mean, babe, he’s had a lot going on.”
“You’re making more sense than I want you to right now. You know that, right?” I muttered, handing over the wine. “Why, though?”
Seth nudged my knee with his free hand. “Because I’m the other best friend in your life.”
“I hate you.”
“Correction, you fucking love me.”
I grunted. “Doubtful.”
“If you’re going to be a little shit, I’m not going to share the snacks I brought,” Seth teased as he stood up. “Stay.”
I scoffed. “I’m not a dog, Seth.”
But I listened because if he brought snacks, that meant one thing and one thing only. I dragged my feet up onto the couch and rested my chin against my knees.
“If you brought cookies, I want at least two!” I shouted as he disappeared into the kitchen.
I heard the rustle of the plastic container and grinned happily. God, those little cookies with frosting and sprinkles on top were so good. The backbone of our nation right there. Why was it taking so long, though? I mean, open them up, grab a plate, slap them on and walk back in here.
“Seth, do you need help?”
